The Ultimate Guide to Canada Express Entry for Self-employed Individuals

The journey toward life in Canada often begins with understanding what the Express Entry system entails. Self-employed individuals can embark on a trip to live and work in Canada, fostering economic growth and cultural enrichment through the Express Entry Program. 

Canada Express Entry is a system implemented by the Canadian government to manage applications for Permanent Residency under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.

This program is designed for individuals with experience and expertise in arts, culture, sports, and other self-employment activities. The primary aim is to attract individuals with the skills and qualifications needed to contribute significantly to the Canadian economy.

It is a basic form of selecting candidates based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. This guide caters explicitly to those with an entrepreneurial spirit by providing a means to seek opportunities in Canada.

Steps to Create an Express Entry Profile for Self-employed Individuals

Creating an Express Entry profile for self-employed individuals involves several steps. Here’s a detailed guide:

Read: A Comprehensive Guide to Canada Tourist Visa: Everything You Need to Know

Determine Eligibility

Before creating your Express Entry profile, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the self-employed category. The self-employed category is designed for individuals with experience and expertise in specific fields, including cultural activities, athletics, or farm management.

Here are the essential requirements to determine if you’re eligible:

Relevant Experience: You must have at least two years of relevant experience within the past five years before applying. Your experience should be significant and recognized within your industry.

These include:

• Cultural Activities: This may include being experienced in specific fields such as music, dance, theatre, visual arts, literature, film, or culinary arts.
• Athletics: Individuals with experience as athletes, coaches, or referees at a professional or high level of competition are eligible under this category.
• Farm Management: If you are experienced in farm management related to crops, livestock, or agricultural production, you may be eligible.

Minimum Requirements: You must meet general requirements to be eligible for the self-employed category. These requirements ensure applicants have the necessary language skills and financial stability to settle in Canada successfully.

• Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking a standardized language test recognized by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Financial Requirements: You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members during your initial establishment in Canada.

Gathering Required Document 

For self-employed individuals applying through Canada’s Express Entry program, the necessary documents include:

Personal Documents: These documents establish your identity and background. These include your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and police certificates to verify your criminal record history.

Proof of Language Proficiency: You’ll need to provide test results from a recognized language testing agency such as IELTS or CELPIP, while you can also take the TEF exam for French.

Education Credentials: If you complete your education outside Canada, you must obtain an Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization. This report verifies the equivalency of your foreign educational credentials to Canadian standards.

Proof of Funds: You must prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members during your stay in Canada. This involves providing bank statements or official documents demonstrating your financial stability.

Proof of Work Experience: For self-employed individuals, this entails providing evidence of your work history, whether through reference letters from employers detailing your employment history or documents proving your income and tax history as a self-employed individual.

Additional Documents: Depending on your specific circumstances and the requirements outlined by Canadian immigration authorities, you may need to provide additional documents to support your application.

It’s essential to carefully review the application guide and any instructions provided by IRCC to ensure you submit all required documentation.

Create Your Express Entry Profile

Visit the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and create an online account.

Profile Creation Process: Complete your Express Entry profile by providing accurate information about your details, work experience, education, language proficiency, and other relevant information.

Calculate Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: After completing your profile, you’ll receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other additional factors. Ensure that you accurately enter all information to maximize your CRS score.

Submit Your Profile: Once your profile is complete and you’ve reviewed all information for accuracy, please submit it to the Express Entry pool. Your profile will remain active for up to one year, during which you may be invited to apply for permanent residency based on your CRS score and eligibility.

Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Issuance of ITA: An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is a critical step in the Canada Express Entry process, indicating eligibility to apply for permanent residency. ITAs are issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through regular draws based on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. These draws typically occur every few weeks, with candidates achieving higher CRS scores having better chances of receiving an ITA.

Strategies to Improve CRS Scores: Candidates can improve their CRS scores by enhancing language proficiency, obtaining further education or certifications, gaining additional work experience, or securing a provincial nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Waiting for an ITA: Applicants need to wait for their ITA before they can proceed to apply for permanent residency and move to Canada from their country of origin or application.

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Submit Your Application for Permanent Residency

After receiving an ITA, you will proceed to a stage where you can submit your permanent residency application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This step involves several important considerations:

Receiving the ITA: Receiving an ITA is a significant step in your Express Entry journey. It indicates that your profile has been selected from the pool of candidates, and you’re now eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Gathering Required Documents: Before submitting your permanent residency application, you must gather all necessary documents to support your case. Such as Identification, Language Test Results, Educational Credentials, work Experience Documents, proof of Funds, and Other Supporting Documents

Paying Application Fees: There are fees associated with applying for permanent residency. You must ensure you have the funds available to cover these fees. IRCC accepts various payment methods, including online payments, bank drafts, and certified checks. Be sure to follow the instructions provided by IRCC regarding payment methods and deadlines.

Submitting Your Application: Once you have gathered all the required documents and completed the application forms, you can submit your application to IRCC. Your application must be submitted accurately and within the specified deadline outlined in the ITA to avoid forfeiture of your opportunity for permanent residency.

Undergoing Medical and Security Checks: As part of the application process, you must undergo medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates to demonstrate that you meet health and security requirements for immigration to Canada. These checks are conducted to ensure that you and your accompanying family members are admissible to Canada and do not pose a risk to public health or safety.

Wait for Processing and Decision

After you’ve submitted your application for permanent residency through Express Entry, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada,  (IRCC) will commence the processing phase. During this stage, your application will undergo thorough review, background checks, and verification of the information provided. The stages of the processing and decision include:

Processing Times: Processing times for applications vary depending on various factors, such as the volume of applications received, the complexity of the case, and the current processing capacity at IRCC. Generally, processing times can range from several months to a year or more. It’s important to note that these timescales are approximate and may vary based on individual circumstances.

Communication and Updates: IRCC may request additional documents or information to assess your application during processing. It’s essential to monitor your email regularly and promptly respond to any requests or inquiries from IRCC. Additionally, you can check the status of your application online through the IRCC website’s application status tool.

Decision Notification: Once a decision has been made on your application, you’ll be notified of the outcome by IRCC. You’ll receive confirmation of your permanent residency status if your application is approved. Contrarily, if your application is rejected, you’ll be informed of the reasons for the refusal and any available options for appeal or reconsideration.

Prepare for Your Arrival in Canada

If your application is approved, congratulations! You’ll receive confirmation of permanent residency status. Start planning for your arrival in Canada, including making arrangements for housing, employment, schooling (if applicable), and other essentials.

By following these steps, self-employed individuals can create their Express Entry profile and begin the journey towards permanent residency in Canada. Remember to carefully review all requirements and provide accurate information to maximize your chances of success.

Confirmation of Permanent Residency Status: After the approval of your application, you’ll receive official confirmation of your permanent residency status from IRCC. This confirmation is in the form of a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document and a Permanent Resident Visa (if applicable).

Planning for Arrival: With your permanent residency status secured, it’s time to start planning your arrival in Canada. This may involve making arrangements for housing, employment, schooling (if applicable), healthcare, and other essentials. Consider factors such as location, cost of living, job opportunities, and access to services and amenities when making these arrangements.

Settling into Canada: Once you’ve arrived in Canada, you’ll need to complete certain formalities to establish yourself as a permanent resident. This may include obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN), enrolling in provincial healthcare coverage, opening a bank account, and familiarizing yourself with local laws, customs, and resources available to newcomers.

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